On November 27, 2024, Central Florida took a transformative step toward safer, more inclusive streets with the unveiling of Phase 1 of the Rio Grande Avenue Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project. This milestone isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about saving lives, strengthening communities, and creating a safer future for all road users. At Bike/Walk Central Florida, we are proud to support this initiative, which aligns perfectly with our mission of making walking and biking safe and accessible for everyone.
Why Rio Grande Avenue Matters
Rio Grande Avenue is part of Orange County’s High Injury Network, a designation highlighting streets where a disproportionate number of traffic fatalities and serious injuries occur. The street serves students walking to Jones High School, families commuting to work, and cyclists navigating daily routes, making safety improvements here not just necessary but urgent.
Phase 1 introduced critical measures, including:
- Pedestrian refuge islands for safer crossing points.
- Lowered speed limits to improve pedestrian survival rates.
- Enhanced crosswalks with rapid flashing beacons to increase visibility.
- Buffered bike lanes to protect cyclists from vehicular traffic.
These improvements represent life-saving changes, ensuring that all road users—especially the most vulnerable—are safer as they navigate this busy corridor.
Proven Results with Best Foot Forward
Bike/Walk Central Florida’s Best Foot Forward program has already shown how impactful these types of safety measures can be. For example, at the Rio Grande & 40th crosswalk, driver yield rates jumped from just 39% in 2019 to 73% in 2021 after the installation of rapid flashing beacons.
Across Central Florida, Best Foot Forward has consistently demonstrated success through education, engineering, and enforcement initiatives, improving yield rates at monitored crosswalks by an average of 40% on higher-speed roads.
These results highlight the power of intentional design and collaborative efforts to make streets safer. Students, parents, and seniors alike can now cross with greater confidence, showing that these improvements save lives and restore a sense of safety to our communities.
Proven Results with Best Foot Forward
The completion of Phase 1 is only the beginning. The Rio Grande Avenue Pedestrian Safety Study outlines two additional phases aimed at further enhancing safety and connectivity:
- Phase 2 – Mid-Term Improvements:
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- Temporary barriers to separate bike lanes from traffic.
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- Improved visibility at crosswalks and intersections.
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- Signalized intersection safety enhancements.
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- ADA compliance upgrades throughout the corridor.
- Phase 3 – Long-Term Improvements:
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- Permanent physical barriers for bike lanes.
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- Wider sidewalks and shared-use paths.
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- Replacement of painted medians with landscaped, raised medians.
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- Major upgrades to key intersections like Michigan Street/Montview Street.
These future updates underscore a commitment to making Rio Grande Avenue a model of pedestrian and cyclist safety for the entire region.
Watch the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Relive the milestone moment! The Rio Grande Avenue Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the transformative changes underway in our community.
This event, featuring leaders like Mayor Jerry Demings, Commissioner Mike Scott, Bike/Walk Central Florida’s Executive Director Emily Bush, and Orange County Public Works’ Chief Engineer, Humberto Castillero, is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision for safer streets.
In Alignment with Bike/Walk Central Florida’s Mission
The Rio Grande Avenue Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project reflects Bike/Walk Central Florida’s commitment to building safer, more equitable streets. By addressing systemic safety issues, this project embodies our mission to create communities where walking and biking are not just options, but the safest and most enjoyable ways to get around.
Through programs like Best Foot Forward, Bike/Walk Central Florida continues to champion:
- Safety Enhancements: Implementing measures like pedestrian refuge islands and buffered bike lanes to protect vulnerable road users.
- Equity in Transportation: Ensuring underserved communities benefit from life-saving improvements.
- Active Transportation Advocacy: Encouraging walking and biking as practical, sustainable alternatives to driving.
Looking ahead, Bike/Walk Central Florida remains committed to fostering collaboration with partners like Orange County, LYNX, and the Orlando Utilities Commission to achieve Vision Zero—a future with no traffic fatalities or serious injuries.
A Call to Action
The Rio Grande Avenue Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project is a blueprint for how we can transform streets across Central Florida into places that prioritize people over vehicles. As our region grows, the need for safe, accessible transportation options becomes even more critical.
Here’s how you can support Bike/Walk Central Florida and help make safer streets a reality:
Advocate: Spread the word about the importance of pedestrian and cyclist safety in your community.
Volunteer: Join us at events and initiatives to make a tangible difference.
Donate: Support our mission to expand advocacy, education, and infrastructure improvements.
Together, we can create a safer, more connected future for all.
Join the movement today and help us make Vision Zero a reality!
